Practicing My New Discipline

This past week my FAVORITE store sent me a text on a SALE!  Can you imagine!!  Yes, I went shopping.

I knew I needed a new dress -- I am being installed as Regent for my DAR Chapter in May, plus we have Mother's Day Brunch and Easter coming up.

So, I am practicing my new rule - something comes in, something goes out.  Today I am Letting Go of this dress.  Truthfully, it never really fit well -- I've worn it a handful of times -- time to pass it along to someone else who might enjoy it for their Easter Sunday or some other Spring day.

Time to Corral the STUFF

I am excited about what I am Letting Go of today!!  I've put my computer desk up for sale on Facebook Grand Rapids Garage Sale!!

 I am working to re-think everything in my office - and you can tell by the pic - my desk was covered with STUFF!

I have the kitchen table that I had when I met Bill in the office too - which simply fills the room.  I am thinking if I get rid of the desk, I can move the table against the wall and put shelves up above the table on the wall.  I believe the table will give me more desktop to work than the computer desk did.  And this will open up the center of the room - making it much easier to get around.

I would never had thought about how to re-organize this room if it had not been for this project!  The room has been filled with so much STUFF - I would not go in there to work -- all the clutter was cluttering up my mind.  The clutter would have continued and I would have continued to avoid the issue.  Time for action -- getting things under-control!!  Thank you God for putting this Lenten project on my Heart!!

Melting away the Clutter

It's amazing what you can find when you are looking for something else!

I was digging through one of my kitchen cupboards trying to pull out our George Forman Grill.  While doing so, I noticed this pot.  It is a double boiler for melting chocolate.  I bought this from one of those "in-home" parties -- which I think I hosted, just before moving to Michigan - that was almost 18 years ago.  I don't think I have ever used it.

My family will testify that I am a good cook, and there are several specialty pans that I have and use regularly - obviously this was not one of them.  So, it's time to Let it Go - I'm putting it in the Garage Sale - hopefully someone will find it and really enjoy cooking with it.

Recorder #3

Can you believe I found a third tape recorder!!  What's up with this?!

I did not realize I was hanging on to all this outdated technology!!  I guess that is what this all about - letting go of those things I really don't need.

More out-dated technology heading out the door!

I can tell spring is on it's way!  My sinuses have stated to bother me. My nose is letting me know the weather is on the change. Praise the Lord!  I was so distracted tonight by how I feel - I almost forget to post today's Letting Go!

Today I am letting go of more out-dated technology.  When I was looking through the drawers in my office the other day - I found my old tape recorder.  This recorder has fond memories of taping conferences when I was selling Home Interiors and when I changed to selling Mary Kay.  It accompanied me all over the place.  Great memories - but I do not need to keep the recorder to hold on to them.

The recorder is just part of the possessions that is holding me back - causing me to not be able to focus on what is important.  I am finding as I clean up, I am not as distracted by clutter.  Trust me, I have a long way to go - but this project is helping me to develop a discipline.  I find I look at things different when I am shopping.  I am asking more questions of my need of the object - and many times I am saying no - not really and leave the store.  When I am buying something - I find myself thinking of what I will get rid of as I bring the new item home.  I know a lot of people have a rule of something coming in, means something is going out.  I think this is a really good idea.

I am adding recorder to the Goodwill bag. Hoping to drop a load off tomorrow morning.

Moving on from the Past

Tonight I had to do some looking around to decide what to let go.  I checked under the bathroom cabinet to see if there were any other treasures, but did not really find anything.

I decided to look through the drawers I have in my office and found a couple of items, and then I came across this index file - it is for planning weddings and knew this was the perfect thing I need to let go.

I used it for my first wedding in 1979 and my second in 1997 to track sent invites and RSVPs.  I think I was holding on to it, in case I needed an address - but since I have not looked into it since 1997 - I guess I was wrong.  I did not use it when Bill and I was married -- technology has improved.  I am definitely not planning on anything in the future - I've found the one I love.  Sorry, Bill - you are stuck with me...lol :-)

A Curl from the Past

To finish off my 80's look - I found my old perm curlers in the bathroom cabinet -- definitely will not be using these -- I was surprised to find them, I thought I had got rid of them years ago - but I guess not. I must have moved these two about 6 or 7 times.  More proof I really needed this Lenten Project.

They do remind me of when I was a child (I know I am going to date myself) - I remember every year before school started - my Mom would give me a Toni Perm.  I was always sooooo embarrassed by my curly hair - but now that I think of it - all my friends had the same thing.  

And of course curly hair was all the rage in the 80's -- I have a picture of my son and me -- I have those lovely red framed glasses from yesterday and a mass of permed hair - so funny.  I should scan the picture for Throw Back Thursday on Facebook some day....lol.

Well, I am not sure what I will do with them - wondering - could Goodwill use them or should I just throw them in the trash?  Hummm and I wonder if they are recycle-able - they are plastic?  If anyone knows, please leave a comment.

Update -- I just checked on Ebay -- would you believe people are buying these -- so I think I will put them up for sale -- could add to my Retreat Fund.

Getting Clear Vision

Cleaning out the bathroom cabinet and found my old glasses from the 1980's.  I found 3 pairs - 2 of them are in these HUGE RED frames - how funny!

I went on-line to find if there was a place close to me to donate glasses (and I have several glasses cases too).

I was surprised and delighted to find - there are 24 places in the Grand Rapids area!!  It's the Lions Recycle for Sight.  The Lions collect glasses to send all over the world to help those who need them the most.

What a great plan!  I get my cabinet cleaned out and help someone to have better sight to see God's beautiful world!

Making up for Missed Time

Well, I missed my first day of Letting Go.  Saturday after I returned home from my Mary Kay Career Conference I had every intention of doing my Letting Go.  I even thought about what I wanted to let go of, but as with the Disciples - the Spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.  I was just so tired I could not keep my eyes open to finish the task.  I know being tired was no excuse - but now it's time to move on and get back on track.

Today we had a plumber in to work on our bathroom tub faucet.  We had to empty out the linen closet so he would have access to the plumbing in the wall.  I thought this would be a great time to check-out what all I have in the closet.  Today I will start with these two items -- one is my hot rollers -- I have not used them in about 7-8 years -- definitely time to pass them along.  The second is a make-up bag filled with all kinds of junk that was there when I moved in 2005 and 2008 -- a good sign I don't need anything in the bag -- the junk mostly will end in the trash - I will clean up the bag and put in the Goodwill pile along with the rollers.

From the Bottom of the Dresser Drawer

I'm posting early today, I leave for the Mary Kay Career Conference later this afternoon - and will be back tomorrow early evening.  It's an overnight - in Novi MI which is right outside of Detroit.  The Conference is a wonderful time to recharge my Mary Kay batteries, spend time with my Mary Kay girlfriends and learn more from the company.  I just love this weekend.

Today I am letting go of these variety of bags and such.  There is a lipstick holder, a cell phone holder, small purse and a bag you can use to pack items in for your purse or suitcase.  Yes, I am still finding items in my top dresser drawer.  At this rate, I may empty the whole drawer.  I'm putting these items in my garage sale box.